History | Helsinki Congress Paasitorni

The ruggedly beautiful granite fortress in Siltasaari, now the Paasitorni conference and congress centre, was designed by architect Karl Lindahl, and opened as the Helsinki Workers’ House, providing leisure activities, entertainment and education for the workers of Helsinki, in 1908. The building has been tastefully restored to its former glory, respecting its historic past yet meeting all the demands made of a modern conference centre.

Paasitorni’s imposing facade is built in stone carved out of the bedrock where the building now stands, some of which was set aside at the farsighted suggestion of the original workmen and used in the extension completed in 1925. The granite facade with its high tower made it an eye-catching public building visible for miles. Sufficient granite was quarried to also build a wall encircling the outside space and pave the neighbouring street running down to the shoreline.

The oldest part of the Paasitorni building, completed in 1908, is late Art Nouveau in style. The building’s facade, main staircase and the Congress Hall are expertly decorated with images of tools and symbols depicting various occupations to highlight the skill of the craftsman. Geometric shapes and abstract ornamentation, including designs drawn from nature, create a clear, timeless impression combined with warm, harmonious colours.

During the Finnish Civil War in 1918 the building came under heavy fire, and the tower and Congress Hall had to be completely rebuilt as a result. The Congress Hall’s fabulous Art Nouveau chandeliers dating back to 1919 were designed by Karl Lindahl.

In 1925 the Worker’s House gained a new granite-clad extension also designed by architect Karl Lindahl. The new extension incorporated the building’s current main entrance, the vestibule and the second floor restaurant. In terms of style, this section with its solid black pillars epitomises 1920s Nordic Classicism.

As so often happens, attempts were made over the decades to bring the appearance and interior decor of the Workers’ House into line with the spirit of the time. By the mid-1990s the building was in extremely poor repair. It was then that the architecturally and historically important decision was made to commence restoration of Paasitorni’s premises, already being used as a conference centre, in keeping with the architect’s original plans.

The late 1990s saw the interior decor of the vestibule and the restaurant, now Restaurant Paasi, returned as closely as possible to their original 1920s appearance. The Congress Hall and foyer were painstakingly restored and now epitomise late Art Nouveau. The dimensions and colours of the striking Congress Hall create a calm, restful atmosphere, while the balconies add to its character. 

The conference rooms in the older part of the building were restored in the spirit of Art Nouveau in the early 2000s. At this point they were also renamed after influential people in Paasitorni’s history. After the mid-2000s the tower underwent major renovation work and now houses a meeting space complete with access to a viewing platform offering unique views of the city skyline.

At entrance level, the Siltasaari Hall, a large conference room with a flat floor, is also steeped in the building’s history. Its walls are decorated with friezes of musicians dating from the 1920s when the room was used as a cinema showing silent films.

The main staircase leads straight to the historic Juttutupa bar and restaurant, which opened when the building was first built and since 1979 has operated in the historic setting of the old lower restaurant. There is also internal access to the Graniittilinna restaurant which opened in 2004. This superior à la carte restaurant is housed in the former gym, a renovated impressive and stylish brick-vaulted space.

History present

In operating as a conference and congress centre, Paasitorni seeks to preserve the original character of the building as a venue for large meetings and events. Clients appreciate Paasitorni’s rich history and unique architecture. In maintaining the building, carrying out new building work and developing the conference business, its heritage is always respected.

Paasitorni was presented as a candidate Unesco World Heritage Site in 2010, as one of eight other historic buildings linked to the labour movement. Head of the Danish Workers’ Museum Peter Ludvigsen was commissioned by Unesco to survey the 58 most important sites in 23 countries and found that Paasitorni perfectly met Unesco’s criteria for a World Heritage Site in terms of authenticity and historical integrity.
”The building is an important symbol of the history of the labour movement and its degree of originality is high. The building has been well maintained and the museum authorities in Finland have praised the skilfully completed restoration,” Ludvigsen says. ”Paasitorni is an excellent example of an actor who has understood its historic importance and takes it into account in their work.”